Bonnets and Baseball Caps, Stewarton, East Ayrshire

Overview
The 'Bonnets and Baseball Caps' Project was set up in Stewarton to examine the misunderstandings that can occur between older and younger members of the community and to help break down barriers between the generations. It was a great success.

The name ‘Bonnets and Baseball Caps' reflects the stereotypical view of older and young people, and Stewarton has been known as the ‘Bonnet Toun' for centuries. Although there is a record of the Bonnet Trade of Stewarton in 1650, it is likely that woollen bonnets were being knitted in and around the town long before. Stewarton is situated on the Annick Water in the north of rural Ayrshire, in an area of natural beauty and historical interest. It is only 10 minutes from Kilmarnock and 30 minutes from Glasgow. Like many a small rural town, Stewarton relies on the spirit and resourcefulness of character of its people to ensure the community thrives. (Click here to read more about Stewarton in Alastair Barclay's book. Below - a view of Stewarton from the River Annick.)

The group of 6th year pupils and residents from Hamilton Gardens Sheltered Housing (with ages ranging from 16 to 89) was facilitated by an English teacher from Stewarton Academy and a member of staff from the East Ayrshire Volunteer Centre. Meetings took place in the school and involved the English, art, music and IT departments and included stereotyping, the good old days - memories of school life, surfing the net, script writing, composing music and art work. At a recent event on 30 April, coinciding with the European Day of Solidarity between Generations, guests from education, social work, the Scottish Centre for Intergenerational Practice and Volunteer Development Scotland were able to hear about the project through presentations and a lively piece of theatre addressing the issues of prejudice.

Future Plans
A workbook is planned which will test the feasibility of using this approach with young people at risk of offending. Because the project worked so well, the school and the Volunteer Centre intend to continue to work together in the next academic year and talks are underway with the social work department to set up similar partnerships in other parts of East Ayrshire.

Successful aspects
The project gave the older adults an opportunity to meet with their peers and with the young people, to engage in creative activities and to overcome significant health and mobility problems. While gaining an insight into the practical difficulties which older adults sometimes face, the young people learned that older people are resilient and do not let their difficulties stop participation and enjoyment in life. The 6th year pupils are working towards a Millennium Award for volunteering.

The success of this project is due to:
* meaningful roles for all participants
* the flexibility of all school staff in finding suitable rooms
* the commitment of teachers and the sheltered housing warden.

The older participants said:
'When we started I didn't know what to expect and how we would all get on, but they made us feel at home from the beginning.'
‘This is not like when we went to school. This is great fun.'
‘It is possible to have a laugh - even with the teachers!'
‘Young people today have worries and concerns just like we had.'
‘Things have changed a lot - there are more pressures on young people now.'

The pupils said:
‘It was a real eye-opener to see how much we had in common.'
‘The older people weren't old-fashioned, grumpy and boring. They were down-to-earth, friendly and interested in what we had to say.'
‘I was a little unsure at the beginning, but we have been working with some of the nicest people in Stewarton.'
‘It was such a positive experience - one of my sixth year highlights.'

Email: Gail Cassidy   Tel: 01563 544765
Volunteer Centre East Ayrshire, 28 Grange Street, Kilmarnock
Post Code: KA1 2DD

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